How to connect to WiFi

Please note your B2 may have a different Wifi dongle to that shown in the quick start guide.



Setup WiFi:

  • Using the front panel control go to Settings > Setup WiFi > click (press and release) to select - the display shows 'Scanning' and then a list of networks it has discovered.
  • You may have rotate the control to see the required network > click to select > enter the password (case sensitive) > press NEXT - the B2 will attempt to connect to your network.
  • 'Success' is displayed briefly.
  • 'Failed' - if the B2 fails to connect after three attempts try Settings > Maintenance > Reboot.
 

IP Address:

Once connected to WiFi the scrolling text on the Home screen (the one showing 'b2 2000G' or similar) will show an IP Address - something like WiFi 192.168.1.127.
 
You can use the IP Address to open the WUI (web UI) on a computer, tablet or phone - see Web Interface.

Once connected to the internet the Home screen shows a clock.
 
 

Problems connecting to WiFi:

BT Hub 5 & 6 - Smart Setup:
Try turning this off - you'll need to log in to your router as 'admin' - there's usually a password on the router for this - refer to the manual that came with the router.
 
Dual band routers:
If your router is dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) check if the two networks have the same name - the B2 cannot distinguish between - you may be able to rename one of the bands or turn off the 5GHz whilst trying to connect the B2 - refer to the manual for the router.
 
The dongle supplied with the B2 is for the 2.4GHz WiFi band only.
 
 

Signal Strength:

If the WUI (web UI) is unreliable or Internet Radio keeps cutting out it may be a WiFi signal issue.

  • To check the WiFi strength at the B2 – Settings > Maintenance > WiFi Strength. It needs to be at least -60dBm (-50dBm being better and -70dBm being worse) and should not fluctuate wildly for a reliable connection and streaming.
  • If on the low side try moving the WiFi dongle from USB A to USB C - depending on your setup this can improve WiFi connectivity and reliability.

    • The Bluetooth dongle can go in USB A and the B2 should reconnect automatically without you having to change any settings - power off before moving the dongle/s.

  • If this doesn’t help try repositioning the B2 (or the Hub/Router) to improve the signal strength.
  • Alternatively try fitting the B2’s WiFi dongle onto a short USB 2.0 extension cable and reposition the dongle for a better signal.
  • In some situations it may be necessary to replace the standard dongle with an RT5370 type (the chip-set used in the dongle) with a built-in antenna - link.
 
Dongles using RT5572 chip set also work with the B2.
 
 

IP Address keeps changing:

This is caused by the router not the B2, which assigns the IP Addresses for hardware it detects on the network.
 
  • Log-in to your router as Admin and select a 'Fixed IP' for the Brennan B2 connection - refer to the router's manual on how to do this.

Connecting an Ethernet cable:

See our Techy Stuff - PI & Linux page for details on fitting the Ethernet cable.
 
  • Plug the Ethernet cable into your router > power on the B2 > reboot the router - the B2 should connect and display an IP Address on the Home screen.

If you have the WiFi dongle plugged-in the Home screen will show two IP Adresses. e.g. Ethernet 192.168.1.207 and WiFi 192.168.1.127.

Fitting a short Ethernet extension cable (male to female) allows the B2 to be easily disconnected from the router.
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